Apparatus for and method of painting



G. .1. PAGE ETAL 2,661,310 APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF' PAINTING Dec. 1,1953 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 25. 1949 1N ENTORS Georg? J a e am! Jon /czr (son Y* Dec. 1, 1953 G. J. PAGE r-:T AL

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF PAINTING 4 sneetsfsheet Filed June 25. 1949INXENTORS. `ge J. crge and John Warrzsqn Gear lBY

Dec. l, 1953 G. J. PAGE ETAL 2,661,310

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF' PAINTING Filed June 25. 1949 .4sheets-sheet s N TORS @Hijs I V George a @and Dec. l, 1953 G. J. PAGEx-:TAL 2,661,310

APPARATUS PoR AND METHOD oP PAINTING Filed June 25, 1949` 4 Sheets-Sheet4 NVENTORS. 6e e P a e and l LI Jozrgfnrrl n Patented Dec. 1, 1953APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF AINTING George J. Page and John Harrison,Chicago, Ill., assignors to The Spra-Con Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application June 25, 1949, Serial No. 101,396

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for and method of painting,although, as will be pointed out hereafter, the apparatus may beemployed in applying other fluids to articles. For the purpose ofillustration, the use of the apparatus in applying paint will bedescribed specifically for the purpose of rendering clear the characterof the apparatus as well as the method.

In the application of paint industrially to manufactured products, theuse of spray guns or spraying apparatus is common but the installationsrequired for painting by the spraying method and by considerations ofthe health of those who carry on the operations not only are costlyinitially but the operations of such installations are expensive byreason of power consumption including the supplying and treatment of airin relatively huge quantities and also by reason of space requirementsand the waste of paint materials. Furthermore, notwithstanding the useof approved washing and other apparatus calculated to prevent the escapeof paint particles to the outside atmosphere, not infrequently propertydamage occurs at considerable distances from the spraying installationsby reason of the deposit of paint particles from the atmosphere as uponparked automobiles, for example.

In an effort to overcome some of the disadvantages inherent in the paintspraying of articles industrially, the flowing or jetting of paint inliquid form, as distinguished from atomized paint as in spray painting,has been developed wherein numerous nozzles are arranged in variousfixed positions along a paint chamber for jetting liquid paint upon theparticles moving through the chamber. Such nozzles direct the liquidpaint upon the articles to flood the surfaces thereon to be painted, theexcess paint draining off and being returned to a tank for replenishmentof solvent or thinner to adapt the paint for re-use. Such nozzles havebeen so spaced necessarily that the entire surface to be painted wouldbe coated or flooded with paint and, for eliminating the possibilitythat some areas of the article would not receive paint, the nozzles havebeen arranged generally so that areas covered by the nozzles overlapareas of other nozzles. A relatively large quantity of paint is thusdirected upon each such surface as compared with the amount actuallyrequired to coat the article for insuring that the surfaces to bepainted will be fully covered by the paint. This method of painting,known to the trade frequently as flow coat-l ing is wasteful of paintsolvents or thinners which escape from the surplus paint that is floodedon the articles in the painting chambers. A substantial portion of theexcess or surplus paint drips from the articles into the drains forrecovery of the paint pigments but, as will be seen, the aeration of thepaint passing from the 2 nozzles to the articles and from the latter tothe drains results in substantial loss of thinner and necessitatesreplenishment of the thinner in restoring the retrieved pigments to theproper viscosity for re-use.

In the flow coating method of painting, the paint is jetted from thenozzles at relatively low pressure as compared with the pressure used inthe paint spraying method. Three to five pounds per square inch isusually employed in the flow coating method, such pressure beingprovided by a pump which effects circulation of the paint from a mainsupply tank through conduits to the nozzles which, as indicated above,direct the liquid paint in sheet or stream form upon the surface of thearticles to be painted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for and amethod of applying liquid paint at relatively low pressure to articlesmoving through a paint chamber which will require the circulating orjetting of less paint to insure complete coverage ofthe articles ascompared with the previously described prior method of flow coating andhence will result in proportionately lower solvent or thinner losses.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus comprising aplurality of nozzles for flooding or flow coating articles, preferablymovingr continuously through a coating chamber, at least some of thenozzles being movable in predetermined or selected paths for jettingliquid paint or other surface treating fluid upon the articles tothereby distribute the fluid over relatively greater areas of thearticles as compared with stationary nozzles of the type abovementioned.

An additional object of the invention is to provide painting apparatuscomprising a tunnel structure through which the articles to be paintedare moved by a conveyor, preferably continuously, the tunnel, in someinstances, providing a chamber or zone for preconditioning the articlesas to temperature, a paint applying chamber, and a heating or dryingchamber and in instances where two coats are to be applied to anarticle, the tunnel preferably is extended to provide for theapplication of and drying or setting of said second coat.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for paintingarticles industrially moving through a tunnel structure which comprisesnot only means for preconditioning the paint as to temperature forreducing the formation of bubbles on or in the body of the applied paintbut includes means also to facilitate the draining of excess paintfromthe articles for avoiding accumulation of thickened paint at the loweredges of the painted parts or surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tunnel structure throughwhich articles are movable during the paint applying and dryingoperations and through which from the intake end thereof to an exhaustduct at the outlet end, a current of air is moved for scavenging thethinner vapors for avoiding the contamination of the atmosphere of thesurrounding areas where an attendant or attendants supervise theoperation of the painting apparatus.

By means of the present improvements when used for painting articles ofa type suitable for such mode of paint application, not only is there asubstantial saving in thinners or solvents over prior methods ofindustrial application of coating materials but the originalinstallation and the operation thereof generally are less costly fromthe standpoint of power consumption, floor space, and labor requirementsand, as compared with the spray coating method, health hazards to theworkman and likelihood of property domage. to areas adjacent theinstallations have been eliminated or the conditions vastly improved.

Qther objects of the invention will be apparent from the considerationof the following specication and accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a broken side elevation of a tunnel and associated structureof a character adapted for use in carrying out the improved method ofapplying paint or other coating compositions or surface treating fluidsto articles industrially;

Fig. 2 is a broken top p lan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on line 3-,3 ofFig. l;

Fig. .i is a broken top plane view of a portion of a tunnel showing amodified form of mechanism for moving the uid applying nozzles; Fig. 5

is a broken elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. Fig. 6 is asectional view taken on line 6.-.,6 of Fig. 5; Fig. -7 is a broken planeview of a further modified nozzle operating mechanism; Fig. 8 is anelevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, a tunnel structure is shown indicatedgenerally by the numeral ID, this structure comprising a suitablesupporting framework, not shown in detail, for supporting sheet metalwalls which define the tunnel. EX- tending along the upper part ofthetunnel, which is open at opposite ends, is a supporting track II for anendless conveyor I2, not shown in detail,

but being of any approved type capable of con- 7 veying to and throughthe tunnel the articles to be painted. Such articles are of numeroustypes, such as cabinets (wood .or metal), refrigerator casings, castingsand numerous other articles.

The conveyor I2 preferably is of the endless type,

generally, a paint applying zone where the articles are coated, aheating zone in which the drainage of the surplus paint from thearticles is augmented, and a drying zone. These zones are of such lengththat the articles receive appropriate treatment as they progress throughthe tunnel. In Fig. l of the drawing, a tempering zone A is indicatedwhich is provided with means for assuring that the articles to bepainted are at the proper temperature as Vthey enter the coating zone.Frequently, in industrial plants, articles of metal are degreased orwashed prior to painting and after washing they pass through a dryingtunnel. The present tunnel may re- ,ceive articles directly from thelast mentioned drying tunnel and, in some instances, the articles may beat a proper temperature for painting in which instance the zone A of thetunnel I0 may be omitted. However, in Fig. 1 zone A of the tunnel isshown as being provided with temperature conditioning means which may bein the form of steam pipes indicated diagrammatically at IIEL forpreheating the entering articles. In tunnel installations where thearticles to be painted are or are likely to be at a temperature abovethat required for best painting results, the tunnel section n may beprovided with means for reducing the temperature of the articles such asby the provision of cooling ducts (not shown) Within the section A, forexample. The succeeding zone or section of the tunnel is indicated bythe letter B and is the zone where the coating material, such as paint,is applied to the articles and in which the major portion of the surpluspaint drains from the articles and is recovered for reuse. The nextadjacent section is indicated by the letter .C and generally is the zonewhere the articles are subjected to a temperature controlled atmosphere.Where the applied liquid is paint, the atmosphere of zone C generally isheated for the purpose of causing the remaining surplus paint to dripmore freely from the painted articles thereby eliminating the formationof bubbles or pin holes such as sometimes cause an orange peelappearance. In some instances the atmosphere of zone Q may be reduced toa predetermined degree where a cool or refrigerated atmosphere producesdesired results by controlling fluidity or the action of the solventsemployed. The paint that drips from the articles in zone or chamber Cmay be recovered periodically, but generally it is too viscous to drainback into the paint circulating system. The last zone, indicated byletter D, is a drying zone which is of adequate length whereby thearticles passing therethrough will be adequately dried for re.- movalfrom the conveyor or for entrance to a second tunnel for receiving asecond coat or if preferred for transfer again to the entrance end ofthe same tunnel for such lsubsequent coat.

For the purpose of avoiding contamination of the atmosphere ,snrroundingthe tunne1 by the vapors of solvents or thinners or of the other coatingor fluid constituents, means are provided for inducing a flow of airlongitudinally through the tunnel in the direction of the movement ofthe articles, that is, from left to right as viewed in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1such circulating means ,is shown as comprising a pair of vertical ductsI3 having air intake openings I 4, the ducts being mounted adjacent theinner side walls of the oven, A booster fan I5 operated by a motor I6ldraws air into the ducts I3 through the inlet openings I4 and forces thesame through a horizontai duct II at the top of the tunnel and thencedownwardly through vertical ducts I8 whence the air passes throiighoutlet openings I9 in the direction of the travel of the articles. Thetwo pairs of ducts I3 and I8 are located adjacent opposed side walls ofthe oven to provide adequate intermediate Sposo between the ducts 0feach. @oir for the passage of the articles through the orenf At theoutlet ond of the oven there is provided a pair of vertical ducts2I1'disposed along opposite side walls of the oven and having at theirinwardly directed faces inlets 2|. The upper ends of the ductscommunicate by a horizontal conduitl 22 with an exhaust duct 23. A fan24 operable by a motor 25 draws air and evaporated thinner through theopenings 2l whence they are exhausted through the duct 23 to the outsideatmosphere. The above described air circulating and air exhaust meansinduces a flow of air into the inlet end of the tunnel which carriesthrough the tunnel the vaporized thinner or solvent and discharges theair and thinner vapors through the exhaust 23 thereby avoiding thecontamination of the ambient atmosphere.

Within the section or zone B, the coat-applying nozzles are located forapplying the coating or fluid material, such as paint, to the articlesas the same move from left to right within the section. The nozzleswithin section B that apply the major portion of the coating to thearticles are made movable so that paint jetted from such nozzles will beapplied over a larger portion of the surfaces of the articles than wheresuch nozzles are stationary. Since fewer movable nozzles are requiredfor adequately coating an article moving through the painting zone thanwhere stationary nozzles are employed, less paint need be jetted throughthe nozzles and since less paint is subjected to theatmosphere withinthe tunnel (assuming a given pressure and nozzle capacity), less thinnerloss occurs and generally a more economical paint-applying method isprovided. Likewise, the movable nozzles give the respective jets ofpaint a greater tendency to spread out and flow upon the surface and toseek out surface formations which might escape being coated were thenozzles stationary.

The movement of the nozzles may be varied as to velocity whereby a giveninstallation or arrangement of nozzles within the painting zone may beregulated for obtaining satisfactory results in the coating of articlesof different forms or shapes or of surface characteristics. Likewise,the movable nozzles preferably are adjustable for varying the range ofapplication of the coating material upon the articlesl particularly ininstances where the nozzles are rotatable, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3of the drawings. In

Fig. 3, an article 26 is shown suspended by the carrier |2, the articlerepresented being, for ex ample, a cabinet requiring painting on itsexterior surface. For the purpose of illustration, three movable nozzlesare provided, the nozzles being indicated by the numerals 21, 28 and 29.Each of the nozzles is shown as being rotatable about a given axis forjetting or sheeting liquid paint upon the article 26 as it moves throughthe paint-applying zone B. Nozzle 21 is shown as being supported by aradial arm 30 adjustably mounted on a rotatable shaft 3| journalledsuitably in the side wall or frame structure of the tunnel and having anaxial passage 32 extending from the outer end to a flexible duct 33which carries the coating composition to the nozzle under a relativelylow pressure supplied by means hereinafter disclosed. A pipe 34 suppliesthe liquid paint to the intake end of the shaft 3|. On the opposite sideof the oven is located nozzle 28 carried by an arm 35 which is mountedfor radial adjustment in a shaft 36 which may be journalled in the sidewall or the frame of the oven. The shaft 36 is provided with a passagesimilar to that above described for supplying liquid paint to a flexibleduct 31 that conveys the paint to the nozzle 28. Ihe paint is suppliedto the passage in the shaft 36 by a duct 38. The

of the tunnel and is supported adjustably by a' rotatable shaft 40having an axial passage therein through which paint may be suppliedto aflexible duct 4| which carries the paint to thek nozzle 29. A pipe 42 isshown for conveying paint from a source of supply to the shaft 40. Thenozzle 29 is supported by a radially adjustable arm 43 which may besecured in an -adjustable position on the shaft 4U lby aset screw 43a,for example. The nozzles mentioned may be rotated by any appropriatemeans.

In the drawings, we have shown a motor 44v located on the top of thetunnel which effects rotation of a transverse shaft 45 by means of avariable drive mechanism 46, adjustment of which enables the shaft 45 tobe rotated at selected speeds. The ends of the shaft 45 are shownprovided With pinions 41 and 48 which by means of chains 49 and 59,respectively, drive sprockets 5| and 52 located on the shafts 32 and 36for rotat ing the latter, as above described. The shaft 40 is shownprovided with a beveled gear 53 driven by a beveled pinion 54 mounted ona shaft 55 carrying a sprocket 55 which is driven by a chain 51 which,in turn, is operated by a sprocket 58 The nozzles 21 and 28l mounted ona shaft 32. will, as they rotate, eject liquid paint over the entireside surfaces of the article 26 as the same moves through the paintingzone. The nozzle 29.

- article as such end comes within the paint disbursing range of suchnozzles. For the purpose of applying paint to the upper surface of thenozzle, in the particular installation shown in the drawings, we haveshown a pair of stationary nozzles 59 and E3 which are arranged to spraypaint over the the adjacent surface of the articles as it moves throughthe painting zone. As shown in Fig. 1, the nozzles 59 and 6D are locatedto the right of the path of rotation of the movable nozzles 21 and 23.We have found that application of excess paint by nozzles 59 and 60produces a secondary flooding of the side surfaces that facilitatesdrainage of the paint from the surfaces previously acted on by thenozzles 21 and 28.

In any given installation, the nozzles are so located as to insure theapplication of paint to the entire surfaces of the articles to bepainted.V

Such surface may be interior surfaces in many instances where openingsare available for the entrance of paint from the nozzles as Well as for.

drainage of excess paint from such surfaces. It

will be seen that the adjustment of the rotatable y' nozzles adapts theparticular apparatus shown to the coating or the painting of articles ofdifferent sizes. In industrial painting, a given installation generallyis used for painting articles of like form,

dripping of surplus paint therefrom. Likewise the heat in the chamberreduces the viscosity of the paint and promotes the formation of asmooth uniform coat of paint on the articles without leaving'pin holesor an orange skin eifect resulting from the formation of bubbles as thethinner evaporates from the coat.

The means above referred to for supplying a saturated thinner vapor tothe atmosphere in chamber C is for illustrative purposes only sinceother modes of supplying the vapor may be utilized, as for example,generating solvent vapor by the application of heat to an appropriatethinner containing receptacle and conducting the generated vapor intothe chamber.

Where, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the nozzles move in rotarypaths during the applicationV of paint or the like to articles movingthrough the coating chamber, the nozzles tend to apply the paint inannular bands of a width depending on the adjustment or paint spreadingcharacter of the nozzles and the distance from the surfaces beingcoated. Since the articles move rectilinearly during the application of.the paint, the bands are not truly7 circular but are elongated in thedirection of movement of the articles, the rate of rotation of thenozzles being such as to cause each band to overlap, slightly at least,the preceding band to eifect complete coverage of the respective surfaceof the article as it moves into and through the range of the nozzles.

Asthe articles move from left to right in the structure shown in Fig. 1,the nozzles 27 and 28 preferably rotate in a clockwise direction asviewed from the left in Fig. 3, that is, the nozzles move from left toright in the upper portions of their orbital paths. Since the nozzles inthe upper portions of their orbits move kgenerally in the same directionas the articles being painted,

the velocity of the nozzles in the upper arcs, relative to the rate ofmovement of the articles, is less than in the lower portions of theorbits Where they move generally in a counterdirection with respect tothe movement of the articles and hence more paint per unit area will beapplied to the articles at the upper portions of the nozzle orbits thanin the lower portions. Such application of paint in greater volume perunit area to the upper portions of the surfaces being painted providesadequate paint for flowing down over the surfaces to provide a uniformcoating while the reduction of the volume of paint applied per unit areato the lower portions of the surfaces reduces the excess that must bedrained off gravitationally with the aid of heat in chamber C or by thesupplemental aid of a thinner-enriched atmosphere provided byatomization of thinner by the nozzles 88 or by other appropriate means.

In the improved method and apparatus, rotary nozzles, similar to nozzles27 and 28, are preferred in applying coating to vertical or steeplyinclined surfaces such as the side and end walls of the cabinet shownAin Fig. 3. While nozzle 29 also is shown as being rotary, a stationarynozzle or nozzles may be employed for coating the lowermost surfaces ofthe articles or, in some instances, an oscillating or reciprocatingnozzle may be employed in lieu of a rotary nozzle, particularly forapplying coating to a lateral or lower surface of an article, asdescribed hereinafter. However, the movable nozzles are of advantage aspointed out above since they distribute the paint over a greater area ina given time unit than do stationary nozzles (other things being equal)while the centrifugal action produced by the rotary nozzles projectspaint streams in trajectories that, entering openings in cabinet walls,will strike on and iiow over interior surfaces not accessible by streamsprojected by stationary nozzles. Hence'painting interior Walls, as wellas exterior walls, of some articles is possible with the presentimprovements, as will be seen.

In Figs. 4 and 5 mechanism is shown for oscillating certain of thenozzles of the apparatus, such as the lateral nozzles 93. Suchoscillating nozzles may be used in lieu of rotary nozzles 21 and 2S,particularly in some instances where the centrifugal eiect provided bythe rotary nozzles is not important. An oscillating nozzle or nozzlesmay be provided in lieu of the rotary nozzle 29 of Fig. 3 if desired.Thus in the structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 eachof the nozzles 93 ismounted on an arm 94 in communication with an axial passage 95 thatsupplies paint or other liquid to the nozzles by means of a exible duct95 from a source of the iluid under pressure, such as a pump previouslydescribed. The arm 34 is carried by a rocking bar 91 pivotally mountedat Sie to a portion of the tunnel frame. A connecting rod 98 is attachedto the bar and to a crank arm S3, carried on one end of the rotary shaftiii@ journalled at the top of the tunnel and which is operated by amotor lill through suitable variable drive mechanism. As a nozzle 93 isoscillated in use it jets the liquid upon successive articles movingthrough the tunnel as above I described, the rate of oscillation withrespect to the movement of the articles from left to right being such asto effect application of the iluid in over-lapping paths to insurecoverage of the surface portions of the article acted on by the nozzle.As shown in Fig. 4 the chamber B is provided with ofl-set portions H22in or adjacent which the nozzles move, suitable passages in the forwardwall of each off-set portion being provided with an elongated aperturefor accommodating the respective arm 94.

In Figs. i and 5 the upper nozzles shown in Fig. 3 are omitted for thesake of simplicity as 'are the temperature conditioning means, `aircirculating means and other features of the tunnel apparatus abovedescribed.

Where oscillating nozzles are employed at the sides of the tunnel asshown in Figs. 4 and 5, means for reciprocating a lower nozzle ornozzles may be employed if desired or a reciprocating nozzle may beemployed in the structure shown in Fig. 3 in lieu of the lower rotarynozzle 29. In Fig. 6 an oscillatable member lil?, is shown carrying atubular arm IM provided with two nozzles |95 each communicating with anaxial duct 06 to which paint or other liquid is supplied by a flexibletube Il'l from a pressure source. The member ID3 can be operated by anysuitable means to move the nozzles transversely of the path of travel ofthe articles to jet paint upon the lower surfaces of the articles. Themember 103 is shown as being' operable by a link |08 connected to a bellcrank'lever |09 which in turn is operated by a rod il@ pivotallyconnected to the adjacent bar 91.

The movable nozzles at the side of the tunnel may be reciprocated bysuitable mechanism if desired rather than oscillated as shown in Figs. 4and 5 or rotated as shown in Figs. l to 3 where all the advantagesof therotatable nozzles is not required due to the character of the work to be11 done. In Figs. 7 and 8 chains III are shown mounted on upper andlower sprockets I I2, H3 at each side of the tunnel, the sprockets beinemounted on upper and lower horizontal rotatable stub shafts IIil andIIS, respectively, that may be suitably supported by the frame of thetunnel- A nozzle II5 is swiveled to each chain, as to an extended linkpin thereof and is supplied with paint or other fluid by a flexible tubeIIT to which, from a source such as has been referred to above, receivesthe fluid from a pipe I I8. The chains ill are operated by a chain i9operating sprockets H2 secured to. the upper stub shafts H4 and drivenfrom a rotatable shaft |20 that is operable by a motor 2| through avariable speed drive mechanism.

The nozzles I I El, in the structure shown, follow the path of thechains il! and apply the paint or other liquid being used, in paths thatare vertical generally.

'lhe apparatus shown has been described particularly with respect to theapplica of paint or coating materials to articles industrially- However,it win oe seen that apparatus of. the character shown may be used forother purposes requiring the use of other surface treating fluids- Forexample, water or other Washing fluid may be ietted upon articles by theimproved apparatus for cleansing or stripping purposesy or paint removero r the like may be used for removing T paint or other coatingrnaterials from articles moving through the tunnel or even etching fluidmay be ietted from appropriate nozzles foi' etching the surfaces ofarticles or unmasked portions thereof- While various controls may beemployed for controlling or regulating temperatures of the several zonesof the tunnel, particularly in zones C and D, these have not been shownbut it will be clear from the foregoing description that the temperatureof the paint or other coating or fluid applied to the articles, as Wellas the temperature of the articles themselves, may alfect. the qualityof the final results, It will alst) be obvious that in someinstallations, depending on the i,

size, shape and other characteristics of the article being treated, therelative location of the several nozzles may be varied ,from that shownand that other changes may be made all within the spirit of theinvention defined by the following claims.

We claim:

l. In the method of treating the surfaces of an article with a liquidcomposition comprising the steps of mounting the article in positionwhereby it is relatively free of pockets which might prevent drainage ofexcess liquid from the surfaces thereof, advancing the mounted articlerectilinearly, rotating a liquid effusor about a crcular path having anaxis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of thearticle and offset from the path thereof but facing towards the articleduring movement, feeding the liquid composition in a continuous solidstream under pressure to the effusor whereby the liquid composition isejected as a solid stream and is thrown solely by the combination ofsaid pressure and centrifugal force onto the surfaces of the article asit passes by, and balancing the rate of movement of the article and thevolume of liquid thrown from the effusor to deposit liquid compositiononto the surfaces of the article in amount suilicient to cause drainagefrom the surface.

2. In the method of painting surfaces of ar.- ticles by a flow coatprocess, the steps of mountlll ing the article a position to eliminatepockets which might prevent drainage of excessV liquid paint from thesurfaces thereof, ativan` .g 'the mounted article rectilinearly througha rotating an effuscr about a circular path having an axis Substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of movement of the. article through the.housing and offset from the path thereof but directed toward thearticle as it passes therethrough. feeding liquid paint composition in acontinuous .solid stream under pressure to the elusor. Whereby theliquid paint composition is ejected as a solid .stream and is thrownsolely by the com.- binaticn of said pressure and centrifugal force ontothe, surfaces of the article as it passes through the housing, andbalancing the rate of movement of the article through the housing withthe volume of liquid paint thrown from the effuscr to nood the surfacesof the article with the paint composition- 3t ,In the method of paintingsurfaces of ar,- ticles by a new coat process, the steps or monate ingthe article a position to eliminate pockets which might prevent drainageof excess licuid paint from the surfaces thereof, advancing the mountedarticle rectilinearly through a hating, rotating an eifusor abouta'circular path having an axis substantially perpendicular tothe'direction of movement of the article through the housing and offsetfrom the path thereof but directed toward the article as' it passestherethrough, feeding liquid paint composition va continuous solidstream under pressure tothe emisor whereby the liquid paint compositionis ejected as a solid stream and is tnrow's'soieittf the combination oisaid pressure anducentriflugal force onto the surfaces ofthearticle-asmlt passes through the housing, balancing th'rate ofmovement of the article through 'the housing with the volume of liquidpaint thrown from the effusor to flood the surfaces of the 'articlenwiththe paint composition, and maintaining the tem'.- peralture of the paintcomposition at a constant eve u 4. 1n the method of painting surfaces ofar.- .ticles by ay flow coat process, the steps of mount? lng. thearticle in a position to eliminate pockets which might prevent drainageof excess liquid paint from the surfaces thereof, advancing the mountedarticle rectilinearly through a-housing. rotating an effusor about acircular path having an axis substantially perpendicular to the direc:tion of movement of the article through the house ing and offset fromthe path thereof but directed toward the article as it passestherethrough, feede ing liquid paint composition in a continuous solidstream under pressure to .the .effusor whereby the liquid paintcomposition is ejected as a solid stream and is thrown solely bythecombination of said pressure and centrifugal force .onto the surfaces ofthe article as it passes through trie housing, balancing the rate ofmovement of the article through the housing with the volume of liquidpaint thrown from the effusor to oodthe surfaces of the article with thepaint composition, and maintaining an atmosphere of solvent-vapors 1n adrainage area immediately following' the area of paint applicationwhereby the vexcess paint composition is more completely removed fromthe surfaces. i* I' 5- .In the method of painting surfaces of articlesby a flow coat process, the steps of lmount-l ing the article in aposition to eliminate pockets which might prevent drainage ofoxcessironia paint from the surfaces thereof, v'ac lva'ricing the

4. IN THE METHOD OF PAINTING SURFACES OF ARTICLES BY A FLOW COATPROCESS, THE STEPS OF MOUNTING THE ARTICLE IN A POSITION TO ELIMINATEPOCKETS WHICH MIGHT PREVENT DRAINAGE OF EXCESS LIQUID PAINT FROM THESURFACES THEREOF, ADVANCING THE MOUNTED ARTICLE RECTILINEARLY THROUGH AHOUSING, ROTATING AN EFFUSOR ABOUT A CIRCULAR PATH HAVING AN AXISSUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLETHROUGH THE HOUSING AND OFFSET FROM THE PATH THEREOF BUT DIRECTED TOWARDTHE ARTICLE AS IT PASSES THERETHROUGH, FEEDING LIQUID PAINT COMPOSITIONIN A CONTINUOUS SOLID STREAM UNDER PRESSURE TO THE EFFUSOR WHEREBY THELIQUID PAINT COMPOSITION IS EJECTED AS A SOLID STREAM AND IS THROWNSOLELY BY THE COMBINATION OF SAID PRESSURE AND CENTRIFUGAL FORCE ONTOTHE SURFACES OF THE ARTICLE AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE HOUSING, BALANCINGTHE RATE OF MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLE THROUGH THE HOUSING WITH THE VOLUMEOF LIQUID PAINT THROWN FROM THE EFFUSOR TO FLOOD THE SURFACES OF THEARTICLE WITH THE PAINT COMPOSITION, AND MAINTAINING AN ATMOSPHERE OFSOLVENT VAPORS IN A DRAINAGE AREA IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE AREA OFPAINT APPLICATION WHEREBY THE EXCESS PAINT COMPOSITION IS MORECOMPLETELY REMOVED FROM THE SURFACES.